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989 Words
The hospital room smelled of antiseptic and the lingering pheromones of the people who had passed through it. Melena sat on the examination bed while the doctor finished his notes.
"You're remarkably fine, considering what happened," he said. "The stress and trauma nearly pushed you into a premature heat, but your body managed to stabilize itself. Your wolf is stable too. You have a strong body, Doctor Roland."
Melena looked at the patches he handed her. "Can I leave now?"
The doctor nodded. "Yes. Just rest and use the patches along with the suppressant I prescribed. Your pheromones may remain unstable for a few days because of the trauma. If you experience any unusual changes in your scent, increased body temperature, or signs of heat, you need to return immediately."
"Thank you. But I'm a doctor too. I'll take it from here.”
Melena slid off the bed and pulled on her jacket before leaving the examination room. Hazel immediately followed her into the hallway.
"I still can't believe that b***h did that to you," Hazel said angrily. "She staged her own kidnapping, dragged you into it, and then tried to have you killed because of Mark. Mark! That useless cheating bastard."
Melena rubbed her tired eyes. "Please don't remind me."
"How can I not remind you? You could have died. Thank Goddess, Mr Rider came to your rescue."
Melena stopped walking and gave her a tired look. "Don't remind me of that either."
Hazel gave her an apologetic look.
Melena sighed and continued down the hallway. She still couldn't believe Zane had somehow turned rescuing her into a job offer. She had been kidnapped, threatened with death, and nearly killed. Then Zane Rider had shown up, paid her ransom, and decided she was going to work for him. Her life had become a complete joke. She can't even back out because there would be consequences.
She was still thinking about it when Hazel suddenly stopped.
"Mel."
Melena followed her gaze and immediately saw Mark and Delilah walking out of one of the Omega wards.
Mark saw her at the same time. "Lena."
His face changed instantly, relief spreading across his features as he hurried toward her.
"You're okay. You're alive."
He reached for her hand, but Melena stepped back before he could touch her. The movement was automatic.
Mark's hand dropped.
Behind him, Delilah had gone completely still. For a brief moment, her eyes met Melena's, and the color drained from her face.
Melena noticed immediately.
Delilah had expected her to be dead.
Hazel noticed too. Her expression darkened as she stepped forward. "You."
Before Melena could stop her, Hazel lunged at Delilah. Mark immediately stepped between them.
"It's my fault," he said quickly. "Everything is my fault. Delilah is pregnant. If you want to hit someone, hit me."
Hazel's fist changed direction and connected with his jaw. Mark stumbled back, rubbing his face, but he didn't fight back.
"I'll take it," he said, looking at Melena. "I'll take anything if it means you'll forgive me."
Hazel took another step toward him, but Melena caught her arm. "Hazel.."
Hazel stared at her. "He deserves worse."
"I know." Melena looked at Mark. "But I want to talk to him."
Mark's eyes immediately went to her. "Please."
Melena turned and walked toward a quieter part of the hallway, and Mark followed her. Once they were far enough away, he stopped in front of her.
"How did you get out?" he asked. His voice was still full of guilt. "I thought about you the entire night. I kept thinking about what they might be doing to you."
"Zane Rider paid the ransom."
Mark's expression changed. "Zane Rider?"
"Yes."
"How? He hates you."
"That's not your business."
"But I care about you."
Melena gave him a tired look. "Don't start."
"I'm serious. That man isn't a good person, Lena. Why would he help you?"
"I'm not here to talk about Zane."
Mark's jaw tightened, but Melena continued before he could say anything else.
"Delilah staged the kidnapping."
Mark stared at her.
For a moment, he seemed unable to process what she had just said. The shock on his face was so visible. "...What?"
"She wanted to test you. She wanted to see which one of us you would choose."
Mark shook his head slowly, confusion spreading across his face. "Delilah wouldn't do that."
"She told me herself."
His brows drew together. "She told you?"
"Yes."
Mark looked away for a moment, as if he was trying to make sense of everything. When he looked back at her, his expression was still filled with disbelief. "No. Lena, that doesn't make sense. She was kidnapped too..remember?”
"She planned it."
"Why would she do that?"
"Because she wanted to know if you would choose her."
Mark shook his head again, but this time, there was less certainty in the movement.
"She also told the men to kill me after you left."
Mark went completely still. "What?"
"You heard me."
His face slowly changed. The confusion remained, but something else appeared beneath it. His eyes lowered, and the guilt that crossed his features made Melena's chest tighten.
He looked as if he was finally beginning to understand what she had been through. To understand who Delilah was.
"And the pregnancy is fake," she said.
Mark's head snapped up. "What?"
"She's not pregnant."
He stared at Melena. The color slowly drained from his face as his expression shifted from confusion to shock. His gaze dropped to the floor, and his shoulders sagged.
For one brief moment, Melena thought he believed her.
She waited.
Mark looked devastated.
Then he looked back at her. "Lena, you're probably still confused from everything that happened. You were kidnapped, you were drugged, and you were under a lot of stress. You're probably hallucinating. I'm just glad you're alive."
Melena stared at him.
The small flicker of hope inside her went out.
- Writer
